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How many computers can install windows with the same serial?

Anonymous
2019-08-18T07:24:40+00:00

Hello.

I have Windows 10 installed on my computer with a serial number which I bought 4 years ago.

I also have Dell Inspiron with Windows 10 and I want to reinstall it in order to reset him (he's very slow and I can't work like that).

So, my question is: it is possible to use the same serial number on 2 different computers? If not, how can I reinstall windows 10 and format my laptop? 

Thanks, Tsahi.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation

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  1. DaveM121 869.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-08-18T07:36:14+00:00

    Hi Tsahi

    A Windows licence entitles you to install Windows 10 on 1 PC at a time only.

    You can re-install Windows 10 any time on that PC and it will self-activate

    If you purchase a new PC later on, you can transfer a retail Windows 10 licence to that new PC, the old PC will deactivate once that transfer is complete . . .

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-18T07:33:33+00:00

    1 license is good for 1 computer only.

    If you have a retail license for the Dell computer it can be transferred to Windows 10 to activate the computer.

    If the Dell was bought with Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 the license is OEM and can not be used to activate Windows 10.

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  3. DaveM121 869.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-08-18T07:36:53+00:00

    Hi Tsahi, you can reinstall Windows 10 at any time and it will not cost you anything !

    Since you previously had Windows 10 installed and activated on that PC during the installation process skip the steps which ask for a product key and select the option 'I am Reinstalling Windows 10 on this PC', and activation will not be an issue, your PC will have a digital entitlement stored on the Microsoft Activation Servers

    Make sure you install the same Edition of Windows 10 (Home, Pro . . . etc.) you previously had installed to avoid Activation issues

    Click this link:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    to download the Media Creation Tool (Click on Download Tool Now), with that you can download the latest Windows 10 ISO (Select Create Installation Media for Another PC), you can create a bootable USB flash drive (min 8GB) using that tool

    Then, Boot your PC from the Installation Media you just created (change Boot Order in your BIOS) to begin installing Windows 10

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